Over 14 days between 28 June and 14 July 2026, Ollie Sanderson, BookMyGarage's Sales Success Operations Manager, cycled 1,123 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats, raising over £2,500 for automotive industry charity Ben.
Averaging around 80 miles a day and spending 126 hours in the saddle, Ollie turned a challenge he and friends had talked about for over a decade into reality, all in aid of the charity that supports automotive families through life's hardest moments.
A Decade-Long Dream, Finally on the Road
For keen cyclist Ollie, 52, from Nottingham, Land's End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) had always been the one that got away. He and two friends had completed plenty of big rides together over the years, but LEJOG remained unfinished business.
“It really is the ultimate cycling challenge in the UK,” Ollie says. “We've done coast-to-coast rides, London to Paris and other big challenges over the years, but nothing compares to riding day after day for two weeks and covering that distance.”
This summer, after years of talking about it, Ollie and his friends set off from the southernmost tip of England and didn't stop until they reached the northernmost point of the Scottish mainland. But the challenge was never just about the miles. “I like supporting smaller charities that mean something to me,” Ollie explains. “I've worked in the automotive industry for more than 20 years, so supporting Ben felt like a natural fit.”
Why Ben?
Ollie took on the ride as a way of giving something back to the sector that has shaped his career. “Like many people in this industry, I've benefited from the hard work, opportunities and support it offers,” he says. “But I also know that behind the scenes, not everyone in our industry is doing okay. Life can change quickly. Ill health, mental health struggles, financial pressure or personal crises can hit anyone, often when they least expect it. Ben exists to support automotive people and their families during those hardest moments, providing vital help when it's needed most. It felt like the right time for me to give something back.”
The motivation ran deeper still. “There have probably been times in my own life when I should have reached out for help,” Ollie reflects. “And I sadly lost a colleague who was struggling with his mental health. Experiences like that stay with you. By supporting Ben, I hope more people get to know the charity is there if they ever need it.”
The Toughest Days on the Road
Fourteen days in the saddle brought plenty of unforgettable moments, but also days that pushed Ollie to his limit. “Weirdly, day three was the hardest,” he recalls. “By the end of the day I felt pretty broken. My friends said they'd never seen me look like that before.” Heavy rain, food that didn't sit well, and fatigue all played a part. “I stopped and had some food that I probably shouldn't have had,” Ollie explains. “When you're riding, you stop, you eat whatever you can and then you're back in the saddle straight away. You don't have time to digest properly, you're digesting while you're exercising, which isn't ideal. But, on the whole, the right meal and a good night's sleep make a huge difference. Your body repairs overnight and you wake up ready to go again. Day four was a lot better after some decent sleep.”
Another day brought a headwind for almost 90 miles. “Wind has a bigger effect on a cyclist than almost any other weather condition,” Ollie says. “Riding into a headwind all day is so draining. Mentally, that was one of the toughest days. It was long.”
Community, Camaraderie and a Red Carpet Welcome
The hard days were outnumbered by the highs of friends and former colleagues joining the route. Between Gloucester and Worcester, Ollie was joined by Engineius CEO Phill Jones, a former colleague, for around 50 miles. “We talked non-stop the whole way,” Ollie says. “We caught up on years of gossip and before I knew it, a 100-mile day had flown by! It was great!”
In Worcester, the aftersales team at Baylis Worcester provided support, encouragement and, to Ollie's surprise, a red carpet welcome.
Strangers proved just as generous. “We'd stop for lunch anywhere we could and people would come over to ask what we were doing,” Ollie says. At one café, a stranger asked to photograph Ollie's cycling jersey so he'd remember to donate to Ben later, and did. At another stop, a golfer simply handed over £10 in cash after hearing about the challenge. “These moments really stayed with me and meant a lot,” Ollie says.
The Best of Britain, Two Wheels at a Time
Cycling has been part of Ollie's life for as long as he can remember. “I could probably ride a bike before I could walk,” he laughs. “Exercise is almost a by-product. What I really love is the freedom cycling gives me. You're not distracted by work, family pressures or everything else life throws at you. You're present and can reconnect with yourself.”
The ride also gave Ollie a new appreciation for the country he was crossing, from the rolling hills of the South West to the mountains of the Cairngorms. In the Highlands, he spotted deer, red squirrels, birds of prey and even an adder along the way, and a swim in a crystal-clear river on one of the warmest days of the trip made it a true highlight of the trip. “If we'd had more time, we'd probably have turned around and cycled home as well,” he jokes, “although we'd have wanted a week's rest first.”
Raising Awareness as Well as Funds
Ollie shared regular updates with colleagues, friends and former co-workers throughout the ride, timing fundraising pushes around payday to maximise donations, while BookMyGarage followed his progress and shared updates across its own social media channels. “I originally hoped to raise around £1,000, so to raise over double that amount has been amazing, thank you to everyone who donated,” Ollie says. “My colleagues at BookMyGarage have been so kind, so supportive and helped me in lots of different ways, not only by donating, but also the encouragement and interest in the challenge really spurred me on.”
BookMyGarage co-founder Karen Rotberg followed Ollie's progress throughout the two weeks. “We are extremely proud of Ollie's achievement, and it has been a joy to follow his exploits over the past two weeks,” she says. “His commitment to delivering on this challenge is exactly the same as the dedication he shows to his clients.”
What the Money Means
The total Ollie raised is enough to fund around 50 counselling sessions, emergency accommodation for 24 families, or emergency food for over 60 people through Ben, the charity dedicated to supporting people who work in the automotive industry and their families.
Each Mile Mattered
Looking back, Ollie counts the ride among his favourite experiences. “There were hard days, sore days and days when the weather wasn't on our side, but I loved it, it really was everything I wanted it to be,” he says. It's a journey that reflects what determination, community and kindness can achieve when people come together behind a cause.
And rather than resting up afterwards, Ollie was back on his bike within a week, riding up Snowdon with his son. Some people, it seems, are simply happiest in the saddle. It's this same drive and commitment that colleagues see in Ollie every day at BookMyGarage, where the team continue to champion the people and causes that make the automotive industry what it is.
There’s still time to support Ollie by donating at Ben - Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund: Ollie and crew do LEJOG (UK end to end over 2 weeks covering over 1,000 miles)
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